SALES & OPERATIONS PLANNING ANALYST

For over a century Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company has been manufacturing pipe and fittings exclusively in the USA, employing 1,400 loyal, hard-working Americans. Today we manufacture the industry's broadest range of standard and specialty DWV products, including cast iron and plastic pipe and fittings. Charlotte Pipe is headquartered in Charlotte, NC, and has seven plant locations across the United States. Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) Analyst Position Summary The Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) Analyst plays a critical role in supporting Charlotte Pipe’s integrated business planning process by balancing customer demand, supply capabilities, inventory objectives, and service performance. This position partners with Sales, Marketing, Operations, and Supply Chain teams to develop accurate forecasts, support planning activities, monitor key business metrics, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. The S&OP Analyst contributes to informed decision-making and helps ensure alignment between customer demand and operational execution to support the company’s growth and strategic objectives. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Sales & Operations Planning Support and actively participate in the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process. Assist in aligning customer demand, production capacity, inventory levels, and service objectives across the organization. Monitor and analyze business performance indicators related to demand, supply, inventory, and customer service. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify risks, opportunities, and corrective actions within the planning process. Support monthly and annual planning activities to ensure alignment with business goals and strategies. Demand Planning & Forecasting Participate in all aspects of the demand planning process, including the collection, consolidation, analysis, and validation of sales and marketing forecasts. Maintain forecasting data within planning systems and tools. Analyze historical demand trends, market activity, and business inputs to improve forecast accuracy. Work closely with Sales and Marketing teams to understand customer demand drivers and market changes. Support continuous improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing forecasting accuracy and planning effectiveness. Assist in the development of the annual volume budget across all market segments. Supply Planning & Inventory Management Support supply planning activities by evaluating demand requirements against available capacity and inventory. Assist in monitoring inventory levels to ensure alignment with customer service and inventory objectives. Help identify inventory risks, shortages, excess stock, and service level concerns. Provide analysis and recommendations to support inventory optimization efforts. Reporting & Business Analytics Develop, maintain, and enhance performance metrics, dashboards, and reporting tools that support the S&OP process. Analyze planning, service, inventory, and demand-related data to identify trends and improvement opportunities. Create and distribute reports that support business decision-making and performance management. Present findings and recommendations to stakeholders at various organizational levels. Process Improvement Participate in cross-functional initiatives focused on improving integrated business processes. Support and, when appropriate, lead projects that enhance planning efficiency, data accuracy, and overall business performance. Identify opportunities to improve reporting, forecasting methodologies, system utilization, and planning workflows. Perform other duties and special projects as assigned to support business needs. Qualifications Education Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Finance, Analytics, or a related field required. Supply Chain background preferred. Experience Experience in demand planning, supply chain, forecasting, business analytics, inventory planning, or related functions preferred. Experience working with integrated business planning processes is a plus. Manufacturing or distribution industry experience preferred. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Strong analytical, quantitative, and statistical skills. Ability to interpret complex data and transform it into actionable business insights. Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking capabilities. Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively across all organizational levels. High attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy. Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel. Knowledge of or ability to learn SAP and Integrated Business Planning (IBP) systems. Ability to work collaboratively within cross-functional teams. Ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. Work Environment Primarily office-based environment located at Charlotte Pipe Corporate Headquarters. Frequent use of computers, reporting systems, and business planning software. Regular interaction with Sales, Marketing, Operations, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Finance teams. Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Occasional participation in meetings, presentations, and cross-functional planning sessions. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability.